Swim training three dimensional swim costume and system with integrated floaty device

ABSTRACT

A swim training three-dimensional swim costume and system with integrated flotation device and integrated floatation device styled as a wearable three-dimensional costume with at least one integrated floatation component, and the floatation component is hidden and/or camouflaged so as to give the appearance of being only a costume styled in such a design as to be conducive to being worn by a child and to help in aiding the process of learning to swim.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is in the field of learn to swim, more particularly learnto swim Outfits that incorporates Costumes and integrated Floaties.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Life preservers have been around for well over a century, and haveconcentrated on cost-effective function. Everyone is familiar with theorange life preserver you place your arms through, with fasteners,straps, or clips to secure the Garment around the chest. Other lifepreservers have blow tubes through the wearer can blow to inflate aflexible reservoir with air. The floatation is predominantly on thechest so the face of a wearer is facing up and out of the water. Lifepreservers are uncomfortable Garments, however.

A young child can find such a Garment frightening and very restrictingand uncomfortable. Resistant children cry when forced to do things theydon't want to do, and they can be traumatized by the experience ofhaving adults force this contraption on their bodies. If a childenthusiastically wants to engage in an activity, the outcome is morelikely to be a positive experience for both the child and adults alike.

The learn to swim category of products has been around for quite sometime. Garments and Outfits can be styled as Costumes for a child to wearwhile learning to swim, and can be used for dress-up and role playing toenhance the learning experience. These Garments can also includefloatation as part of the Costume. The Costumes can include printing toenhance the authenticity of the Costume.

The current state of the art includes Garments that are full body, tops,bottoms, accessory items such as trainers, vests, puddle jumpers, andother learn to swim devises. Some of these are Character Branded withprinted Characters, logos, etc. These would be what we are callingTwo-dimensional Costumes, where the material used for the Costume,Outfit or Garment construction are single or multiple layers of fabricsthat can be sewn together. There can be objects also attached to thefabric, but this is not what would be considered three-dimensional inthe context of the invention.

The present invention incorporates flotation within an integratedThree-dimensional Swim Costume that is non-threatening and fun for achild to wear. The Costume can also aid in teaching a child to swim aswell, make the child less fearful of water, and thus more inclined toenter the water and learn to swim.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment the invention is a Three-dimensional Swim Costume thatincludes a three-dimensional Floaty component that functions to aid inlearn to swim training. The incorporation of the Floaty component ishidden within the three-dimensionality of the Garment or Outfit will notappear an obtrusive component. This hidden but three-dimensionalattribute is a key feature because many children are threatened by theappearance of traditional floaties. In this camouflaged or hidden orconcealed form, the Garment or Outfit is less threatening to a child,and actually makes the Garment or Outfit more attractive and fun for achild to wear and learn to swim while wearing. Another key component ofthe invention is an inner mesh liner that secures the Garment to thewearer and/or child learning to swim. The Three-dimensional Swim Costumecan be styled in any number of popular motifs or designs, fromrole-playing superheroes to cartoon characters, mermaids, and more. TheThree-dimensional Swim Costume can incorporate any number of additionalattached or associated features that are three-dimensional features suchas scales to simulate a fish or mermaid, sequins, fins, straps, andappendages. The Three-dimensional Swim Costume can also incorporate arange of unattached accessories such as gloves, webbed gloves, hat,footwear, goggles, masks, a snorkel, and attachable appendages. TheThree-dimensional Swim Costume can also be viewed as a platform forattachments or can incorporate waterproof or water resistantcompartments to even house electronics that shouldn't get wet. Thethree-dimensional Garment can be made from a range of quick drymaterials and/or fabrics in part or in whole including but not limitedto nylon, spandex, rayon, synthetic material, natural material, hardplastic, foam, and sequins.

The present invention among other things will improve the usersexperience or enhance it bringing the learn-to-swim device into a moretrue to theme experience. The present invention turns the standard ofthe dress-up and role-play to a costume experience. Thethree-dimensional styling utilizing three-dimensional costume materials,components, and construction will enhance authentication of the Garment,and this in turn will further entice the learner to wear the trainer.

The Three-dimensional Swim Costume can be used for swim training and canhelp a child build confidence in the water. The Three-dimensional SwimCostume can facilitate and be used in a three stage swim systemcomprising swim level 1, which involves an introduction to the water,swim level 2, which is the process of learning to swim, which can covera number of standard swimming strokes, and swim level 3, which is thedevelopment of greater swimming skill and confidence.

The present invention is a swim training Three-dimensional Swim Costumeand System with integrated flotation device comprising: at least oneThree-dimensional Costume component with at least one flotationattachment area, either internal or external; at least one integratedand/or hidden three-dimensional flotation component comprising: at leastone front layer; at least one back layer; at least one buoyantfloatation element contained within and/or between said at least onefront layer and said at least one back layer; said at least one backlayer and/or said at least one front layer attaching to said at leastone flotation attachment area; at least one attachment and/or securingstrap. The swim training Three-dimensional Swim Costume and System withintegrated flotation device may further comprise an inner mesh liner tokeep said swim training three-dimensional swim costume and system withintegrated flotation device secure on the wearer. The swim trainingThree-dimensional Swim Costume and System with integrated flotationdevice may be made in whole or in part from at least one of in whole orin part a fast drying material such as nylon, spandex, rayon, foam,synthetic material, natural material, hard plastic, sequins, waterproofand/or water resistant materials, in whole or in part. The swim at leastone three-dimensional flotation component may be in whole or in part atleast one of at least one air-filled bladder, at least one sealedcompartment of air, at least one three-dimensional shape filled withair, at least one buoyant component, at least one volume of closed cellfoam, at least one volume of cork and/or cork-like material, at leastone volume of Styrofoam. The swim training Three-dimensional SwimCostume and System with integrated flotation device may further compriseor incorporate rigid waterproof or water resistant elements and/or bonesand/or components to provide skeletal structure to flexible material, inwhole or in part. The swim training Three-dimensional Swim Costume andSystem with integrated flotation device may further compriseaccessories, gloves, webbed gloves, at least one hat, footwear, goggles,masks, a snorkel, attachable appendages, permanently attachedappendages, tentacles, body parts, at least one noise making device. Theswim training Three-dimensional Swim Costume and System with integratedflotation device may further be comprised of at least one auxiliarywaterproof or water resistant container and or designated volume ofspace to house electronics and/or other objects. The electronics may beat least one of a sound module producing speech and/or music and/orsound effects, a lighting system producing at least one pattern oflights, a radio receiver, a walkie-talkie and/or two way communicationsystem, a smart device and/or smart phone. The swim trainingThree-dimensional Swim Costume and System with integrated flotationdevice may be further styled as at least one of a cartoon character, amermaid, a superhero, an animal, a princess, a fairy, an elf, a goblin,a witch, a wizard, eveningwear.

A three-stage method of learning to swim that incorporates the wearingof the swim training Three-dimensional Swim Costume and system withintegrated flotation device of claim 1 comprising the following steps:Swim level 1, which is an introduction to the water; Swim level 2, whichis learning to swim; Swim level 3, which is developing greater swimskill and confidence.

A method of learning to swim that incorporates wearing the wearing ofthe swim training Three-dimensional Swim Costume and System withintegrated flotation device of claim 1 that can provide both unobtrusivefloatation for added safety while inducing a child to engage in a funplay pattern involving one or more of the following: fantasyrole-playing, splashing, interacting with other swimmers of varyingskill levels, humor, testing limits of interaction with water, gainingconfidence and developing trust of water, learning to be comfortablewith the aquatic environment.

The swim training Three-dimensional Swim Costume and System withintegrated flotation device can also be used strictly for dress-up androle-play or for leisure swimming and water-play other than swimtraining.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatthe present invention should not be limited to the described preferredembodiments. Rather, various changes and modifications can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

All of the material in this patent document issue subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the combinationswimming Garment showing key components.

FIG. 2 depicts cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the combinationswimming Garment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the invention styled as a superherocharacter Three-dimensional Swim Costume.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the invention styled as a mermaidThree-dimensional Swim Costume.

COMPONENTS

-   1 combination swimming Garment/Outfit-   2 floatation breastplate-   3 back straps-   4 skirt-   5 decorative fin-   7 back of Garment-   10 buoyant floatation element-   20 Superhero character Three-dimensional Swim Costume-   30 Mermaid styled Three-dimensional Swim Costume

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the combinationswimming Garment/Outfit 1 showing key components. Shown is thecombination swimming Garment 1, which is composed of the floatationbreastplate 2 area, which in this embodiment is shown with decorativescales to simulate the design of a fish or a mermaid. Attached to thefloatation breastplate 2 is the skirt 4. Attached to skirt 4 is adecorative fin 5 on the left and decorative fin 5 on the right.

FIG. 2 depicts cross-sectional view AA of the embodiment of thecombination swimming Garment/Outfit 1 shown in FIG. 1. Shown is across-section of the floatation breastplate 2 area, and within theinterior of this is the buoyant floatation element 10. Also shown is theskirt 4, the back of Garment 7, and the back strap 3.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the invention styled as a superherocharacter styled Three-dimensional Swim Costume 20.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the invention styled as a mermaid styledThree-dimensional Costume 30.

Definitions

Outfit: is a set of clothing that goes well together.

Character Branded Outfit: is an Outfit that has in at least one locationan image or motif of a Character.

Garment: is an item of clothing.

Character branded Garment: is a Garment that has in at least onelocation an image or motif of a Character.

Character Branded: is a Character's image printed or integrated on or ina product.

Costume: is something you wear to make yourself look like something orsomeone and/or if you're dressing up to affect a personality or you areplaying a role. A costume can also be a reproduction of a Characterincorporating a level of authenticity either within or upon a Garment orOutfit or a Garment or Outfit with at least one accessory. A costume canhave variable levels of authenticity depending on context and usage.

Printed Costume: is a Two-dimensional Costume with printing forming aCostume and/or components of a Costume.

Two-dimensional Costume: a Costume made from material with no particularattention to any portion of the Costume that touches human skin beingthicker than one or more layers of fabric. A Two-dimensional Costume mayhave attached objects that add to the thickness of the material, butthere is no particular design imperative to encase a volume of space toeither enhance the three-dimensional appearance of the wearer or tocreate a low-density volume that provides buoyancy as well asthree-dimensionally enhancing the authenticity of the Costume as with athree-dimensional Costume.

Two Dimensional Printed Costume: at least one Outfit or Garmenttransformed to a two dimensional Character Costume by the printingforming the image or images necessary to create a level of authenticitytogether forming the Costume and/or components of the Costume.

Character: is a known or unknown animated image, a cartoon or comicimage, a living or deceased celebrity, a superhero, a monster, an alien,a fictional being, a real or imaginary animal, person, place, or thing.

Printing: in the context of this invention is printing on fabric,embossing, silk-screening or other method of applying an image onmaterial or fabric used in a Garment, Outfit, or Costume.

Three-dimensional Costume: everything a Two-dimensional Costume is withthe addition of at least one depth component to at least one portion ofthe Garment and/or Outfit and/or Costume and/or components of theCostume. A Three-dimensional Costume is a Costume that provides for ahigher level of Character authenticity by the utilizing or adding ofthree dimensional materials either integrated or associated with orattached to. A three-dimensional Costume significantly improves upon therole play and dress up experience incorporating texture, fabric, agreater involvement of the sense of feel so that more senses are usedother than vision.

Three-dimensional Swim Costume: Is a Three-dimensional Costume designedto include swimming, water, and water play use which may incorporatefabric and materials that are in whole or in part waterproof or waterresistant, Three-dimensional Swim Costume is also sometimes called aThree-dimensional Swimming Costume.

Three-dimensional Swim Costume and System: Is a Three-dimensionalCostume and System designed to include swimming, water, and water playuse which may incorporate fabric and materials that are in whole or inpart waterproof or water resistant.

A floaty (or floaties) is a floatation toy or device used in water, apool and/or ocean, and this can be a tube or toroid shape filled withair, a Character in the shape of an animal or other creature, object, oricon, an air mattress, a dry bag or bladder, a buoyant tube or objectthat can provide extra buoyancy to a person when held, laid upon, orinterfaced with. A floaty can be made from a shell that contains air ora material that contains sufficient air incorporated within or is ofsufficiently low density as to provide buoyancy.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a device is described as containing components A, B,and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and Bin combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B,and C in combination.

1. A swim training three-dimensional swim costume and system withintegrated flotation device comprising: at least one three-dimensionalcostume component with at least one flotation attachment area, eitherinternal or external; at least one integrated and/or hiddenthree-dimensional flotation component comprising: at least one frontlayer; at least one back layer; at least one buoyant floatation elementcontained within and/or between said at least one front layer and saidat least one back layer; said at least one back layer and/or said atleast one front layer attaching to said at least one flotationattachment area; at least one attachment and/or securing strap.
 2. Theswim training three-dimensional swim costume and system with integratedflotation device of claim 1 further comprising of an inner mesh liner tokeep said swim training three-dimensional swim costume and system withintegrated flotation device secure on the wearer.
 3. The swim trainingthree-dimensional swim costume and system with integrated flotationdevice of claim 1 wherein said three-dimensional costume is made from atleast one of in whole or in part a fast drying material such as nylon,spandex, rayon, synthetic material, natural material, hard plastic,sequins, waterproof and/or water resistant materials, in whole or inpart.
 4. The swim training three-dimensional swim costume and systemwith integrated flotation device of claim 1 wherein said at least onethree-dimensional flotation component is in whole or in part at leastone of at least one air-filled bladder, at least one sealed compartmentof air, at least one three-dimensional shape filled with air, at leastone buoyant component, at least one volume of closed cell foam, at leastone volume of cork and/or cork-like material, at least one volume ofStyrofoam.
 5. The swim training three-dimensional swim costume andsystem with integrated flotation device of claim 1 further comprising ofor incorporating rigid waterproof or water resistant elements and/orbones and/or components to provide skeletal structure to flexiblematerial, in whole or in part.
 6. The swim training three-dimensionalswim costume and system with integrated flotation device of claim 1further comprising of accessories, gloves, webbed gloves, at least onehat, footwear, goggles, masks, a snorkel, attachable appendages,permanently attached appendages, tentacles, body parts, at least onenoise making device.
 7. The swim training three-dimensional swim costumeand system with integrated flotation device of claim 1 furthercomprising of at least one auxiliary waterproof or water resistantcontainer and or designated volume of space to house electronics and/orother objects.
 8. The swim training three-dimensional swim costume andsystem with integrated flotation device of claim 7 wherein saidelectronics is at least one of a sound module producing speech and/ormusic and/or sound effects, a lighting system producing at least onepattern of lights, a radio receiver, a walkie-talkie and/or at least twoway communication system, a smart device and/or smart phone.
 9. The swimtraining three-dimensional swim costume and system with integratedflotation device of claim 1 is further styled as at least one of acharacter, cartoon character, a mermaid, a superhero, an animal, aprincess, a fairy, an elf, a goblin, a witch, a wizard, eveningwear. 10.A three-stage method of learning to swim that incorporates the wearingof the swim training three-dimensional swim costume and system withintegrated flotation device of claim 1 comprising the following steps:Swim level 1, which is an introduction to the water; Swim level 2, whichis learning to swim; Swim level 3, which is developing greater swimskill and confidence.
 11. A method of learning to swim that incorporateswearing the wearing of a swim training three-dimensional swim costumeand system with integrated flotation device of claim 1 that can providefloatation while inducing a child to engage in a fun play patterninvolving one or more of the following: fantasy role-playing, splashing,interacting with other swimmers of varying skill levels, humor, testinglimits of interaction with water, gaining confidence and developingtrust of water, learning to be comfortable with the aquatic environment.12. The swim training three-dimensional swim costume and system withintegrated flotation device of claim 1 wherein said swim trainingthree-dimensional swim costume and system with integrated flotationdevice is used for dress-up and role-play or for leisure swim andwater-play other than swim training.